Lawmakers in Ghana have unanimously approved a bill criminalizing homosexual activity, despite warnings from Western governments including the US and France.
The Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the Anti-Gay Bill, was passed by parliament on Wednesday, three years after it was first introduced in 2021, and now requires the signature of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
If the head of state approves the law, anyone who identifies as LGBTQ will face up to three years in prison. The measure also criminalizes gay rights advocacy, with a maximum five-year jail term for establishing or funding LGBTQ groups.
After three long years, we have finally passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act,” member of parliament Sam George, one of the lead sponsors of the bill, wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Our values would be protected and defended so long as we have a voice,” he added.
Critics of the bill, including Audrey Gadzekpo, the Board Chair of the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), claim it violates human rights guaranteed under the country’s constitution.
The legislation has also drawn condemnation from abroad. In a statement on Wednesday, the US said it is “deeply troubled” by the lawmakers’ decision, which “would threaten all Ghanaians’ constitutionally protected freedoms of speech, press, and assembly.”
The anti-gay bill is “inconsistent” with the former British colony’s tradition of tolerance, peace, and respect for human rights, which has long served as a model for countries around the world, Washington said.
“The United States echoes the call by those Ghanaians who have urged a review of the constitutionality of the bill to protect the rights of all individuals in Ghana,” the statement added.
@FreeTradeTommyGreen3mos3MO
I've never seen a family being destroyed because of gays
I wish I could stop seeing families being destroyed by homophobia
@ChameleonLouiePatriot3mos3MO
Really? can two people of the same sex create a family? The essence of that ideology in itself is the destruction of the family. Says a lot that you can’t see that. LGBTQ is ending bloodlines. There’s your destruction!
@FreeTradeTommyGreen3mos3MO
Yes they can. There's a thing called ADOPTION. Which, you know. IS A BYPRODUCT OF MOSTLY STRAIGHT RELATIONSHIPS. Then there's IVF and surrogacy? And it's not an "Ideology", people don't CHOOSE to be gay. They just are. Denying rights to people is a choice which LGBTQIA+ counters
@ChameleonLouiePatriot3mos3MO
But somehow natural, nil! By protesting Ghana’s decision to uphold its ideals and family values, you’re propagating that same colonizer mindset that says we don’t have a right to self-determination. Focus on your own backyard, we don’t need your input
@FreeTradeTommyGreen3mos3MO
I'll proudly deny your right to self-determination if it will reduce suicides. I've just left a **** hole that claims to uphold "family values and ideals". Reality of it though, they're using it to persecute even the straight. But what do I know please, continue on this path
@Patriot-#1776Constitution3mos3MO
Clearly, their amoral behaviour is entirely unnatural and abominable, as they cannot produce children.
@9CJ6CB63mos3MO
So then I’d that same behavior abominable and unnatural for sterile couples?
@Patriot-#1776Constitution3mos3MO
I've seen countless families destroyed because of it – everything from children growing up without the benefit of a father and mother, to children being indoctrinated into far-left gender ideology and sexualised at schools, to children being mutilated, amputated, and castrated without their parents' consent, to children being stolen from their parents by the government because their parents are no-bs people who refuse to play the pronoun game. This is a cancerous tumour growing on our country, that has destroyed children's lives, and corroded the moral fibre of countless adults. This is something we need to be dead serious about.
@Patriot-#1776Constitution3mos3MO
Good! It is *NOT* a "human right" to engage in this amoral and wicked, abominable activity! I am very impressed with South America right now – Javier Miles came to power, now Ghana's doing this. Bravo, people, bravo.
@ISIDEWITH3mos3MO
